J. Carlvena Foster

Political Party: Democrat
Term Expires: 2026

J. Carlvena Foster serves as the District 1 Representative and Vice-Chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners. A dedicated public servant, she has been a member of the Board since 2014, representing a diverse and vibrant community in the Piedmont Triad region. As Vice-Chair, she plays a key role in setting the Board’s agenda and presiding over meetings in the absence of the Chair, ensuring a focus on collaboration, transparency, and community engagement.

Before joining the Board of Commissioners, Commissioner Foster served on the Guilford County Board of Education from 2008 to 2014, where she championed policies to improve educational opportunities for local students. Her commitment to youth and community development is evident in her 25 years of service as the Executive Director of the Carl Chavis Memorial Branch YMCA in High Point. Under her leadership, the YMCA expanded its programs and services to better serve children and families. In recognition of her contributions, High Point University named the Splash Park at the Carl Chavis YMCA in her honor in 2016, and in 2023, the Child Care Center at the YMCA was renamed the Carlvena Foster Childcare Center.

Commissioner Foster has also been recognized on the national stage through her involvement with the National Association of Counties (NACo), where she has served as President of the Women of NACo (WON), advocating for women’s leadership in county government. Her leadership and service were further honored in 2019 when she was named High Point Citizen of the Year, a testament to her lasting impact on the community.

A lifelong resident of High Point, Commissioner Foster is a proud graduate of William Penn High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Shaw University and a Master of Science in Public Administration from High Point University. She has also completed coursework toward a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership through the University of Phoenix and holds a North Carolina State Level III Child Care Director certification.

Commissioner Foster is married to Otis Foster and is the proud mother of two children, Keesia and Britt. She is a loving grandmother to her granddaughter, Cabria, and her bonus grandson, CJ. Her deep roots in the High Point community and unwavering dedication to public service continue to shape her mission of fostering a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking Guilford County.